I was very fortunate to have recently acquired a large group of old German photos. They range from the 1890s to the 1960s, and it’s interesting (and somewhat eerie) to see the transformation within that time.

It’s also rather interesting to see the differences and similarities in modes of dress between America, where the majority of the old photos I have are from, and Europe.

Spring’s just around the corner, but here’s some images of ladies in overcoats to help you have some style inspiration for the cool weather that’s left.

These first images, both dated 1932, show ladies in very casual “Polo” style coats. Just just love the nonchalant attitudes, especially of the lady on the bridge with her collar flapped up on one side.I particularly love this lady’s coat, with those wide tailored lapels. Notice how low the notch falls on the coat compared to later versions, say in the 1940s. And those big patch pockets! I wonder if the flap conceals an additional pocket underneath? I would easily snap up that coat for my wardrobe. It looks impeccably tailored, but still very casual. So fun to pair the coats with knitted caps! That’s my version of attainable day-to-day fashion.

These last two show more dressy ensembles paired with overcoats. This lady, in a photo also dated 1932, looks very glamorous for her wander about the woods. I love the softness of the lace and bow of her dress peeking out from under the coat, and her stunning hat. She is quite stylish! Very fun to see two different modes of dress in photographs from the same year when you contrast the polo coat look with this look.

In this photo we have a lady and child, dated 1940. I just love her wild hat! She appears to be wearing a coat comprised of either a combination of furs or perhaps a fur collar and lush velvet body. Interestingly, her ensemble is tone with a mode I see most often in the US as late 1938-1939, so you can see how fashion carries over past it’s initial debut, which is part of why dating old photographs is sometimes quite difficult, even though this photo is only dated a year or two later, so it’s not an extreme example. Folks kept items in their closets for years, just the same as we do today! Also, depending on where you lived, fashion could move faster or slower. In the USA we’re given to “trends”, and the 1930s and 1940s were not immune to that, while in other countries fashion tended to move at a somewhat different rate and sometimes not to the extremes of their American counterparts.

It’s kind of neat to see the writing on the backs of the photos in old pen and ink.

>One can be transported directly to the past looking at those pictures, when I look at old photos, my mind always wandering in the situation of those people at that time, "Was it for a ride in this photo?? Was her husband, who photographed?? It was agreed or simply a photo opportunity arose?

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I'm a costume history and vintage fashion nerd, and the proprietress of Wearing History. Join me on my adventures into creativity and fashion's past!